Whirlpool Corporation

Robert Edward Lindenschmidt

Charles W Haag

Robert Edward Fields

A refrigerator ice door mechanism having improved structure for controlling the outlet opening of a delivery chute provided for delivering ice pieces from an ice maker within the refrigerator to an access space in the front of the door. The closure is positively opened by operation of the ice dispenser actuating structure and is biased to a closed position substantially immediately after release of the actuating structure for terminating operation of the ice piece delivery structure, while permitting any remaining ice pieces moving through the ice delivery chute to move the closure away from the opening in passing to the access space. A time delay device is provided for applying a sealing force to the closure to positively close the opening a predetermined period of time subsequent to the release of the actuator and termination of the ice piece delivery.

Refrigerator ice door mechanism

A refrigeration apparatus enclosure and method of forming the same wherein an inner laminate wall is provided in an outer cabinet for providing the sheet liner and insulation portions of the refrigeration apparatus enclosure. The laminate wall is folded along lines cut through the insulation to conform to the configuration of the outer cabinet and insulation is provided for filling the resultant voids to complete the enclosure construction. The voids may be filled by foam blocks which may be cemented in place to aid in bonding the laminate wall to the outer cabinet. The rear wall of the cabinet may comprise a flat laminate wall and a divider wall may be provided within the cabinet for dividing the space therein into separate compartments. The divider wall may comprise a laminate wall and in one embodiment, comprises an extension of a laminate wall lining the cabinet. An improved deck construction may be provided formed of a notched laminate panel and defining an inclined rear portion. The notched laminate panel may further define upstanding side walls of the wall structure. A rear wall may be formed of a laminate panel to extend between the rear edges of the upright legs of the deck structure above the notches in the panel. Another form of disclosed wall structure includes a first wall formed of a laminate panel and a second wall intersecting the first wall and being defined by a sheet liner and an insulation with the sheet liner terminating inwardly of the outer surface of the first wall. The first wall may further be defined by a laminate panel including an inner sheet liner and an outer insulation.

Refrigeration apparatus wall structure

A refrigeration apparatus enclosure and method of forming the same wherein an inner laminate wall is provided in an outer cabinet for providing the sheet liner and insulation portions of the refrigeration apparatus enclosure. The laminate wall is folded along lines cut through the insulation to conform to the configuration of the outer cabinet and insulation is provided for filling the resultant voids to complete the enclosure construction. The voids may be filled by foam blocks which may be cemented in place to aid in bonding the laminate wall to the outer cabinet. The rear wall of the cabinet may comprise a flat laminate wall and a divider wall may be provided within the cabinet for dividing the space therein into separate compartments. The divider wall may comprise a laminate wall and in one embodiment, comprises an extension of a laminate wall lining the cabinet.

Method of making refrigeration apparatus enclosure structure

A method of forming an insulated cabinet wall structure wherein a body of insulation is foamed in situ against an outer face of a liner sheet strip to define a laminate. A plurality of holes are formed in the laminate extending through the liner and into the insulation, and a plurality of supports are installed on the laminate by insertion of a mounting portion thereof in the mounting holes. The laminate with the supports secured thereto is subsequently formed into a preselected cabinet configuration to define a chamber with the supports projecting inwardly from the liner into the chamber. This structure may then be inserted into a formed outer cabinet.

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Evansville, IN, United States of America

Robert Edward Lindenschmidt